The Economic Dividend

Rather than having to end poverty to end slavery, can we end slavery to help end poverty? We are completing the first extended analysis of contemporary slavery’s political economy. While there are studies analysing labour markets, systematic studies on the economic incentives of contemporary slavery are missing.

Our work includes an analysis of the economic incentives for using slave labour, and an analysis of factors that determine the vulnerability of a person. This enables deeper investigations of markets for different types of enslaved labour.

We are also demontrating how slavery impacts the economy and development of a country, and measuring the dividend that comes with liberation. Here we statistically model and measure the economic benefits of ending slavery. We aim to show the theoretical benefits of eradicating modern slavery on the wider economy, and provide a solid scientific basis for encouraging countries to prioritise antislavery efforts.

Theme

Contributor

Projects

Our transdisciplinary projects answer four main questions: 1. How many slaves exist in the world and where are they? 2. Why does slavery exist and persist? 3. What works to end it? 4. What difference does freedom make?

The 16 projects all intersect and form an ambitious platform of transdisciplinary interventions that can be scaled up as the international community works towards slavery’s eradication by 2030.